Flatiron



May 13, 1924.

R. M. G. PHILLIPS FLATIRON Filed June 22. 1921 3 'Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSS:-

HIS HTTf/VE Y May 13, 1924.l

. R. M. G'. PHILLIPS FLATIRON Friled June 22. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H/S HTTOHNEY WT/VESSESZ- @,44/

VIay- 13 1924. i

R. M. G. PHILLIPS FLATIRON 3 Sheets-'Sheet 5 Filed June 22 1921 WIFI? lfd . WTNESSS?" 3J/ig# Hfs A TTORNEY Patented May 13, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,493,563 PATENT OFFICE.l

BOSS H. G. PHILLIPS, 0F NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

rLA'rInoN.

Applicationled June 22, 1921. Serial No. 479,439.

v supply of fuel to an iron: to provide said automatic means readily reversible .for right or left handed use a further object of my invention is to provide an iron and a stand therefor for purposes of preheatin Referring to the drawings, which show i lustrative embodiments of my invention, Fig. 1 is a side view of my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the handle bow showing perforationsto radiate heat.

Fig. 3 is a side view in section of the means of attaching the handle bow to the iron.

Fig. 4 is another side view without my proved means of attaching the handle bow to the iron.

Fig. 5 is lear iew showin the switch, operatin an spr' e ition for leftghanded use begg shownpl; the broken lines.

Fig. 6 is a front view of Fig. l-the iron being shown as adapted forV right handed use.

Fig. 7 is another front view of Fig. 1 with the thumb latch, switch and spring shown in heat operating position-that is the handle has been partly turned to overcome the tension of the spring and the switch is in lowered or closed position.

Fig. 8 isa plan view in cross section of.

the handle on the linesA--A of Fig. 1.

Fi 9 is a vertical cross section ofthe switc used. The spring adapted to hold the circuit normally-open is also shown. l

Figs. 1() and 11 show the iron supported upon a stand for preheating purposes, the said stand operating with my automatic iins1- of the iron and stand. Fig. 11 Vis a side view' of the iron and stand.

Fig. 12v is a. front view showing the thumbV Y i rest ada ted for left handed use: the thumb Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate another embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 13 is a side view, the iron being shown mounted upon my improved stand. In this form of my invention the handle is movably mounted in the handle bow and the connecting means for switch operation is iirmly attached to the handle.

Fig. 14 is a plan view in cross section of the handle construction used in the embodiment of my invention set out in Fig. 13.'

. Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate a form of stand to be used for preheating purposes with the construction shown in F1g. 13. In this construction the preheating latch is heldin position by a cross bar.

Figs. 17 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 illustrate an embodiment of my invention in which a push button switch is used. In the embodiments illustrated, this switch is o erated by a thumb latch operating a movab e shaft in a fixed handle as is shown in my preferred form (Fig. 1).

Fig. 17 is a side view.

Fig. 18 is a top view of the handle.

Fig. 19 is a rear view showing the parts in circuit opening or nonheating f. osltion.

Fig. 2O is a rear view showing t e parts adapted for left-handed use.

Flg. 22 is a plan view of a cross section of the handle and spring.`

The iron is of an standard construction with an electrical eatin unit with connector osts 18 in plug soc et 19. (Fig. 9). A brac et 2 is fastened to the iron 1.

For the pur of avoiding the spread of heat from t e iron to the handle, I em- `loy the following means of attaching the liandle bow to the iron:

A plate 51 is mounted on the iron 1 by the screws 52. Plate 51 is removed from iron l by contact points 53 which seat upon heat insulating pads 54 made of asbestos or other suitable heat insulating material.

Handlebow 2 is attached to plate 51 by screws 55 and is separated therefrom by contact points 56 which seat on heat insulating pads -57 on plate 51. Heat lnsulatmg washers 59 (Fig. 3)f are used with screws 52 and 55.

The handlebow 2 is made with rforations 58 to radiate as much as possible any heat reaching theV handlebow 2.

The handle 3 is mounted on handle bow 2 in a fixed ition in my preferred form. (See'Fig. 8o5It-comprises an extenor of wood or other suitable material mounted on the tubular handle bolt 4 as shown, and held in rigid position by nut 5.

In the tubular handle bolt 4 slides a movable shaft 6. lShaft 6 is separated from tubular bolt 4 by a bushing of heat insulating material 21. Shaft 6 has a cap 7 on which is mounted an arm 8 comprising a thumb latch. Also on cap 7 is mounted a preheating latch 9. Thisv is preferably mounted on cap 7 opposite to thumb latch 8. Shaft 6 extends t rough the tubular bolt 4 and projects at the rear of the handle. On the rear end of sha-ft 6 is fixedly mounted arm 13 (Fi 1) held in position by nut 6 on sha-ft 6. Iivoted on arm 13 is an adjustable link 14. (Figs. 4 and 5.)

To an electrical connection plug switch 15* is attached an electric cord 15" which may be connected to any convenient 'source of electric supply. Plug switch 15a is adapted to engage connector posts 18 and has a quick make and break toggle switch 16 of ordinary construction operated by a toggle lever 15 (Fig. 9).

To the upper part of lever 15 is attached a tension sprmg 20 which is also attached to and holds. switch lever 15 in the position shown in Fig. 9--that is so that the make and break switch 16 is in a nonheat'mg posit1on.

Adjustable link 14 pivoted on arm 13 is connected to switch lever 15 (Fig. l).

The parts-thumb latch 8, shaft 6, arm 13 and adjustable link 14 are aligned so that movement downwardly of thumb latch 8 causes lever 15 to overcome the tension of sprlng 2O and to close the circuit in make and break switch 16 in plug 15a. When the pressure on thumb latch 8 is removed lever 15 returns to its normal position (see Fig. 9) and the circuit in switch 16 is broken. (See 6.)

In Flgs. 10 and 11 I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention when used wlth a stand for reheating purposes.

The fiat iron liblder 24 is-mounted on plate 25 which ma be made of asbestos, with a base comprising a rod 27 bent to form a suitable support. There is a wire frame support 29.` Rod 27 rhas a projecting arm 2,8. The flat iron 'normally rests on support 24 for nonheating. When the flat Iron is to be preheated'for 4use it is placed on support 29 and preheating latch 9 is placed on arm 28 after thumb latch 8 has been down to the position shown in Fig 1. e., 1n heating position. Preheating latch 9 has a notch 10 to prevent it sliding over arm 28.

My invention is further illustrated by the em 16, 17, 18 and 19.

In 13 and 14 there is illustrated a form o my invention which omits the bodiments illustrated in 13, 14, 15,

thumb latch shown in my preferred form 'and operates by movement of the handle rather than by movement of a shaft within tliehamle as shown in my preferred form.

1g. 1. l The handle 3Y (Fig. 14) is loosely mounted on handle bolt 35. .To the Jr'ront of handle 35 is attached preheating latch 9 and to thc rear of handle 35 is attached an arm 13 and operates upon the other parts as in my preferred form. Y

In Figs. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 the fixed handle and movable shaft therein is used as in my preferred form (Fig. l) but different means are used to connect and operate the shaft 6 and switch 16. The shaft 6 has attached to it a cam 60 (Fig. 19) which is rotated by shaft 6 on the rear end of the handle 3. Mounted on handle 3 is a spring yoke 43 extending over push button switch 42 in plug 15a which is of any ordinary design having push buttons 61 and 62. Spring yoke 43 has stops 63 on the inside thereof and is normally pressing on push button 61, i. e., the off or circuit ope-ning button, by pressure of tension spring 20 which is attached to switch 42 at 65 and to spring yoke 43 by sliding catch 66 in groove by reason of shaft 6 causes cam 60 to bear on stop 63 and the tension of spring 20 is overcome, arm 66a presses button 62 to lcircuit closing position and the flow of current to the lat iron is completed. If pressure on thumb latch 8 is removed spring 20 draws arm 66b against button 61 to close the switch 42 in plug 15.

If left handed use is desired, thumb latch 8 is turned to the left side of the handle. (See Fig. 21.) Cam 60 is thus brought into contact with stop 63 and catch 66 is slid in groove 67 (Fig. 15) to theleft of the sprin yoke 43. The operation is then as 'explamed for right hand use.

The advantages of my invention are as' (Fig. 18.)v Pressure on thumb latch 8 follows: The heat supply is cut oi from the flat iron when the operator takes his or her hand from the fiat iron, thus fires are avoided. in leaving the flat iron with the heat supply operative through carelessness or haste. Furthermore, preheating can be accomplished in my improved flat iron only with my improved stand. This necessitates preheating the flat iron upon the stand-it cannot be left upon the ironing board. If.

the iron is allowed to overheat tires are avoided.

A further advantage of my invention is that it is readilyadaptable for right or left handed use.

My improvement can be used with fuel supplies of different kinds. I'have illustrated its use with an electrical source of fuel supply but I. am avvale' and wish to cover by my Letters Patent the invention lao v set out in this specification and the accomiron,

panying drawings regardless of the kind of fuel used. A

' What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric iron, a make and break switch electrically connected to the heating means and source of electrical supply, means to hold said switch normally in circuit opening position, means to change said switch to circuit closing position comprising a thumb lever, and operating means connecting said thumb leve'r and switchv adapted to close said circuit by pressure upon said thumb lever.

2.' 11n an electric iron, a make and break switch, electrically connected to the heating means and source of electrical supply, means to hold said switch normally in circuit o ening position, means to change said switc i to circuit closing position comprising a thumb lever mounted upon the handle of the said and operating means connecting said thumb lever and switch adapted to close said circuit by pressure u on said thumb lever, said thumb lever an operating means being movable so as to adapt them4 for right or left handed operation.

3. In a circuit controlling device, an electrical switch, means to hold the same normally in circuit opening position, operating means including a shaft and thumb lever to move saidswitch to circuit closing position by pressure of the operators thumb upon said thumb lever, said switch being returned to circuit opening position by the first named means when pressure upon the said thumb' rest is removed, operating means being movable so as to adapt them for right or left handed use.

4. In an electric iron, a make and break switch electrically connected to the heating means and source of electrical supply, means to hold said switch normally in circuit open- 'ing position, means to change said switch to circuit closing position comprising a thumb lever mounted upon the handle of the said iron, and operating means connecting said thumb lever and switch adapted to close said circuit by pressure upon said thumb lever, au arm in connection with said thumb lever, a stand adapted to receive said iron and a rod upon said stand to receive said arm and hold said switch in circuit closing position for the purpose of preheating the said iron.

pated June 18th', 1921.

Ross M. G. PHILLIPS.

y Witnesses:

Max SCHWARTZ, Aamzs RmAN. 

